SDSM leader Zoran Zaev at today’s press conference announced the second “bomb”, in which, through recorded phone conversations, indicated that there is no rule of law and that the judicial and executive authority are not at all separated. From conversations can be heard rigging trials, appointment of judges and cancellation of court rulings.
In the first of five recordings, which were today presented by the leader of the opposition, Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska and former Minister of Justice Mihajlo Manevski agreed verdict for a close associate, which would they later use for appointing and dismissal of judges.
At the second recording, Minister Jankulovska announce to the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski that negotiated the current public prosecutor Marko Zvrlevski to drop the criminal charges against Stavreski. In the conversation, Jankulovska confirmed that Zvrlevski rejected it and says that they will soon meet because she needs him for few other cases. Also, the minister says Zvrlevski himself had problems, and she served as a psychiatrist.
In the presented conversations, there is also a recording of the conversation of the director of intelligence Sasho Mijalkov with Musa Xhaferi, former deputy prime minister for the Framework Agreement, in which they agreed the selection of president of the Supreme Court. In the conversation, Mijalkov tells Xhaferi that what is already agreed should not be stopped without prior consultation and agreement. Also, Mijalkov indicates to Xhaferi which posts in the courts DUI already has, adding that the proposal of the president of the Supreme Court should be smooth in order to avoid problems and attacks by the media. In the conversation, Mijalkov mentions that he spoke with Abdilakim Ademi and Blerim Rexhepi, but received no response from them.
In the fourth presented recording, Jankulovska consult with Prilep Mayor Marjan Ristevski whether judge Nikola Krsteski from Prilep court is sufficiently “on their side” and if he can stand 100 percent on their side in case they need it from him.
In the last conversation, you can hear the editor of TV “Sitel” Dragan Pavlovik – Latas agrees with judge Filimena Manevska, wife of former minister Mihajlo Manevski, the Court of Appeal not to return the verdicts to a retrial.
– What you heard is shocking, ugly. This clearly reveals why Macedonian jails are full of political prisoners and how lawsuits against opponents are manipulated. How local court cases against journalists are collaborators with the government and against anyone who is not an associate of the Government are rigged. Dear citizens, Articles 17, 18 and 25 of the Constitution of Macedonia concerning the freedom and privacy of communication, guarantee the privacy, dignity and reputation of citizens are violated. Articles 8, 98 and 106 of the Constitution relating to the rule of law, separation of authorities to legislative executive and judicial and the independence of the judiciary and the Public Prosecution are violated. Now it is clear who carries out violence and who wrecked the constitutional order – said Zaev at the end of the press conference.
